What is Italian Penicillin Soup?

Italian Penicillin Soup is a traditional comfort food made with broth, vegetables, and tiny pasta like pastina or acini di pepe. It gets its nickname “penicillin” because families often serve it when someone feels sick, much like chicken noodle soup in American households. Its light texture, nourishing broth, and easy-to-digest pasta make it both healing and comforting.

How do I make Italian Penicillin Soup healthier / adapt it for special diets?

It’s simple to customize this dish. For gluten-free eaters, swap pastina for gluten-free pasta or rice. Vegans can use vegetable broth and skip Parmesan. Low-sodium versions work beautifully with unsalted broth and fresh herbs for flavor. Each adaptation keeps the soup’s comforting essence intact while making it more accessible.

How long does Italian Penicillin Soup take to prep and cook?

Most recipes require 10–15 minutes of prep and about 20–30 minutes of cooking. If you’re short on time, using pre-cooked shredded chicken or chopped vegetables can cut the cooking process even further. From start to finish, a hearty pot of Italian Penicillin Soup can be on the table in under 45 minutes.

What’s the best way to store and reheat Italian Penicillin Soup?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. For freezing, keep the pasta separate from the broth to maintain texture. To reheat, warm gently on the stove, adding a little broth or water if needed to thin it out. This keeps the flavors bright and the pasta tender.

Italian Penicillin Soup Recipe : 5 Healing Comfort Tips

Name: Italian Penicillin Soup : A Healing Bowl of Comfort
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 Parmesan rind (optional); 1 cup pastina or acini di pepe pasta; 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (optional); Fresh parsley, chopped; Salt and black pepper to taste

Description

Italian Penicillin Soup is the ultimate comfort food—a soothing blend of pastina, rich broth, tender vegetables, and simple proteins that feels like a warm remedy in every spoonful.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 Parmesan rind (optional)
1 cup pastina or acini di pepe pasta
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Sauté onion, carrot, and celery until softened.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Pour in broth and add Parmesan rind if using.
Simmer for 15–20 minutes to build flavor.
Add pastina and cook until tender.
Stir in shredded chicken or alternative protein if desired.
Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
Serve hot with optional Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or quinoa. For vegan, use vegetable broth and skip chicken and Parmesan. To store, refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze broth and pasta separately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian